Prologue

Note: This prologue said by the mission briefing announcer. Much like the Ace Combat 4’s prologue.

3 years after the 5/7 (May 7th) incident—a catastrophic day marked by the hijacking of planes and the destruction of the Triple Towers under the cabal of Islamist extremist forces. In response, the AJF (Alliance Joint Forces) launched a large-scale retaliation against extremist strongholds in the Middle Eastern hemisphere. Though we successfully occupied the rogue nation’s capital, the true masterminds behind the terror eluded us, and new attacks erupted across all fronts. We found ourselves as vulnerable as sitting ducks, waiting to be devoured by great sharks.

Fear spread like wildfire across the continent of Aqullia. In a desperate bid to secure its future, the GAIUS (Great Aqullian Incorporated Union of Solidarity) unveiled its ultimate deterrent: ANRAN (Anti-Nuclear Railgun Augmented Network). A colossal railgun turret that they designed to repel nuclear strikes from the rogue nation amidst an escalating nuclear crisis. Yet, beneath the surface of this high-stakes defense, the rogue cabal sowed discord across nations, inciting conflict and turning allies into enemies—all without shedding a single drop of blood.

Your mission is to safeguard the lives of innocents and combat the ever-present threat of terrorism. Even if the idea of terrorism cannot be eradicated, we will neither yield nor falter to stand resolute against all shadowy vileness.

The Zalanthian Continent.

Ephrata Airbase, Ephrata-Union Of Zalanthian Federation.

0940 hours, 29 June 2004.

Clear.